Eve of First Communion

Cannot believe its already April 20, 2012. Seems like a minute ago that I read on the school calendar what day First Communion would be on. Its tomorrow at 11am in the St. Ursula Chapel. Lu, you have been so fun though this whole process. I wanted to take you to Fella Bella in Lebanon for a special shopping day to find your dress. When I took Emma there, it was so neat. It was a little boutique type shop for kids clothing. They made the experience super fun for the kids with goody bags, etc. We tried on dresses, found the perfect one, then went to this cute ice cream shop for lunch. Turns out, now the shop is closed. So, you & I went to Nordstrom-dresses were too flashy-'like Toddlers & Tiaras' you said! So true. Dillards was our next stop. You found one right away, tried it on, ok lets get it. But you were itching as we stood in the dressing room. We bought it anyway with the intent that you would try on Emma's dress when we got home. You tried it on-that was the one. You were comfortable, it fit like a glove and you loved it! The Dillards dress will go back. 
Yesterday, we went to Valenti so Kayla could paint your nails-bubble bath-my favorite color. It looks perfect on you-slight pink but very natural looking too. Today after school we will go to Michelle's for hair instruction.
There are so many cool things about your First Communion. YOU will be the first person in your class to receive First Communion tomorrow! How cool is that! You are doing a reading which you have been practicing-you won't read it in front of us because you want it to be a surprise. Also, Emma is one of the main servers. 
Yesterday, you were practicing at the chapel and Grammy went in to watch for a minute. She was overwhelmed with emotion to be standing there, watching you and Emma, and all your classmates singing and doing hand motions. Another neat thing about all of this is that Grandma McEviley assisted the Sisters at St. Ursula to get established, Margaret McEviley ( my Grammy) made her first communion in the very same chapel, your Grammy, Kit Rettig made her First Communion there and your Dad & I got married there. 
WOWOWOW!!! No one else I know has such strong connections there. 
Tomorrow will be so special. You have planned the menu for our lunch afterwards and we will have an amazing time! It warms my heart for our family to be so involved with the Ursuline community! It means a lot to me!! 

you made your banner square

We are at Dillard's here. This is the dress we bought before you decided on wearing Emma's dress. This one is scratchy on the shoulders. 

Grandma's Retirement

Unique arrangement from Tim & Marilee-love it! 

easter 2012 

We had a grand celebration yesterday-Easter dinner and Daddy's bday-43. What fun! Smoked pork butt, smoked ribs, roasted asparagus, rolls to die for, slaw, salad and brownies with peeps and chocolate covered cherries! All were here-Murphy's and Overbecks. The weather has been outstanding--sunny, but cool. The grass is so green it looks like velvet. The girls are on spring break this week-we are getting all of the dr's apts out of the way at the beginning of the week. No routine makes for happy kids and happy Mommy. 

Almost Easter 2012! Which means spring break, no getting up early and doing what we want. Except this year, a few Dr's apts are sprinkled in. At the end of the week, we will celebrate Grandma's retirement from Gorman Heritage Farm.I am still unsure about what I want this blog to be-more innermost thoughts? Letters to you my girls? Day in the life of us? Time will tell. 

A wonderful book came out Tuesday-I want you both to read it as adults-sometime-its called "Bloom" by Kelle Hamptton. She is incredible-photoographer, mother, blogger. So inspirational.

my mission statement-love this.

 

3 months

Baca is alive with us today--a true miracle. Christmas day 2011 was a scary day to say the least. Baca was rushed to Mercy Anderson Hospital then to University of Cincinnati Hospital in bad shape. He was diagnosed with streptoccus pneumoniae which ate through Baca's mastoid bone and went into his brain. He had major surgery to remove part of the mastoid bone. 
We were faced with decisions, lots of time with Baca and hard moments. After being in a coma for 4 days, he woke up.  A miracle for sure. We have learned through this amazing journey the importance of family and friends, prayer is what got us through and how blessed we are to have each other. God is good! 

sister

My girls are beyond lucky-they will always have each other. Lu wanted to have Bridget come back to our house, alone but Bridget wanted her little sisters to come with them. Lu wanted "time alone" with B. Not knowing how to handle the situation, Lu left without saying anything. Tears as she came in, explained to me what happened. She didn't say thank you or goodbye and Lu has been treated like a little sister before-she has been excluded many times. Now she is excluding 2 little sisters. She had to go back and apologize to all. Emma was incredible-helping Lu with how and what to say. The 3 of us walked down, Lu was scared. They weren't home. I gave her a choice: make an apology card and take it down or go back later and talk with the girls. She made a card-with a big eye on the front-I am sorry it said. Perfect. Emma walked her back to the neighbor to tape it to the door. 

They will always have each other. Its a gift to be able to watch their sister relationship grow and evolve. 

Write

first communion coming up

our awesome new hallway--no more brown! 

I am trying to get the hang of this. Its something I want to have for my girls so they can look back on our life and see how things were, etc. Difficult to do when many pictures I have are actual photos and then many, many are saved on the computer. 
Girls are off school today, we had the Robert's girls sleepover last night and all is right with the world! 
Spring is gearing up with many events, soccer and vball training. 
Loving life and we are so blessed! Tomorrow is Paddy's 4th bday!